Low-cost, crack-tolerant, screen-printable metallization for increased module reliability

A method for forming a paste for screen printing contacts, the method comprising;

• providing a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes;
• functionalizing a surface of the plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a plurality of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes;
• and
• mixing the plurality of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a metal paste to form a metal matrix composite (MMC) paste.

A method for forming an electrical contact in a photovoltaic device comprising;

• providing a substrate;
• depositing a dielectric layer on the substrate;
• screen printing on the dielectric layer a metal matrix composite paste comprising a metal paste and a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, wherein a surface of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes is functionalized with carboxylic or amine functional groups;
• and
• firing the metal matrix composite paste to form an electrical contact.